Shahid: From Backup Dancer To Superstar

Our favourite baby faced actor Shahid Kapoor turns 35 today. But make no mistake, he’s no longer the cute boy we saw dance behind Aishwarya Rai in Taal. He has matured into an actor who can pull off layered roles like the one in Haider. 

SpotboyE takes a look at Shahids journey to stardom.

Ishq Vishk (2003): Shahids debut film was directed by Ken Ghosh, the same guy who made him famous with the video for Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra. Shahid played the quintessential confused-in-love teenager who falls for two girls - Amrita Rao and Shenaz Treasurywala. 



Dil Maange More!!! (2004): Continuing with his confused-in-love act, Shahid starred in Anant Mahadevans Dil Maange More!!! He played Nikhil Mathur, a man desperate to fall in love who ends up with three women ready to swear undying love to him. His co-stars were Soha Ali Khan, Ayesha Takia and Tulip Joshi.



Fida (2004): Shahid teamed up with Ken Ghosh for this thriller. He played a coy lover who swears revenge. But the audience was not yet ready for to see him in a serious role just yet. 



Vivah (2006): After a series of forgetful flicks like Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! and Shikhar, Shahid was signed by Sooraj Barjatya for Vivah. Maybe Barjatya was looking to recreate the magic of Salman Khans Prem when he cast Shahid as Prem in this film about an arranged marriage. Vivah got mixed reviews but it was one of the first digital movies released in India.



Kismat Konnection (2008): Shahid was seen as the next Shah Rukh Khan and perhaps director Aziz Mirza too wanted to recreate the magic of Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Yes Boss. But apart from a couple of songs nothing worked for Shahid here. What the audience got was rumours of his link up with the films leading lady Vidya Balan. 



Jab We Met (2007): This film was the turning point in Shahids career. His break up with Kareena Kapoor was the talk of the town and JWM was seen as their last film together. It was a smash hit and became a cult film. Though Kareenas Geet ruled the screen, Shahids calm, introvert Aditya Kashyap was impressive too. He had finally shed his boyish image.



Kaminey (2009): Further proof of this was his double role in Vishal Bhardwajs Kaminey. He prepared hard to play twins one who stutters and the other who lisps. His acting skills were lauded by both critics and audiences. Also appreciated was his pairing with alleged girlfriend Priyanka Chopra.  



R...Rajkumar (2013): After doing Dil Bole Hadippa! and Badmaash Company with Yash Raj Films, Shahid was in fear of losing his footing but then he came back with a bang with R...Rajkumar. The film had great songs and Shahid became popular for the dialogue, “Silent Ho Ja. Varna Main Violent Ho Jaunga.” The same year Rajkumar Santoshis Phata Poster Nikhla Hero released and Shahid had another batch of hit songs in his kitty. 





Haider (2014): But one of Shahids best roles could easily be in Vishal Bhardwajs Haider. He essayed his part in this adaptation of Shakespeares Hamlet with such ease and held his own against talented actors like Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Kay Kay Menon. 



Now he has Udta Punjab and Shandaar coming up. Hope he continues the good work. 

SpotboyE wishes the boy-next-door-turned-rugged-actor, Shahid a very happy birthday!